Method and apparatus for winding round the stem of a button sewn onto an article of clothing

Abstract

In a method for winding round the button stem of a button sewn by a sewing thread to an article of clothing, in which a winding thread made from an elastomeric plastic is wound on under tension onto the thread bundle formed from sewing thread between the button and the article of clothing, in a simpler manner a reliable fixing of the winding thread end is brought about in that the winding thread, following the wrapping of the thread bundle, is drawn off the stem in a direction roughly at right angles to the axis with a tension increased to beyond its yield point, before the separation thereof at the button stem. The thread end extending over several coil turns is firmly fixed between the previously placed coil turn as a result of its diameter greatly reduced by complete elongation. Two embodiments of an apparatus for performing the method are also described and the apparatus is constructed as a compact, esily handleable hand-operated device.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for winding a thread around a button stem sewn by a sewing thread to an article of clothing comprising a winding bell rotatable about an axis for winding an elastomeric plastic material thread around and in the axial direction of the button stem, a winding bell drive motor having a axis with the drive motor spaced from said winding bell, said drive motor has a hollow shaft arranged for the winding thread to be passed therethrough to the winding bell, said hollow shaft having an axis, and a magazine having an axis and arranged for receiving a winding thread supply and arranged to supply the winding thread to the hollow shaft, and the winding bell, drive motor and hollow shaft and magazine, in combination, forming a hand-operated device. 
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magazine is constructed as a handle. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axis of the winding bell, the drive motor and the magazine are arranged coaxially. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the axis of the winding bell drive motor is arranged at right angles to the axis of the winding bell and is in non-positive driving connection with the said bell by a mitre gear. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to claim 4, comprising a casing surrounding the drive motor, the casing being constructed as a handle. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the mitre gear is formed by a pair of bevel wheels, with one bevel wheel fitted manner to the hollow shaft which is fixed to the winding bell, and the other bevel wheel fixed to the shaft of the drive motor. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the hollow shaft is mounted in rotary manner in a gear casing and has two ends each extending out of the casing, the winding bell being fixed to one said end, and the other said end positioned adjacent to the magazine receiving the winding thread supply. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a casing of the drive motor is connected to the gear casing. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the magazine is formed by a bobbin positioned at right angles to a common axis of the winding bell and the hollow shaft, and a bobbin carrier, the bobbin is fixed in a rotary and replaceable manner to said bobbin carrier and said bobbin carrier is firmly connected to a gear casing. 
     
     
       10. A method of winding a thread around an axially extending stem of a button sewn by a sewing thread to an article of clothing comprising the steps of winding a thread made from an elastomeric plastic material under tension around a thread bundle formed from the sewing thread between the button and the article of clothing, subsequently fixing the thread end to the thread bundle after winding the thread around the thread bundle by drawing off the winding thread from the stem in a direction substantially at right angles to the stem axis and increasing the tension of the thread beyond its yield point before it is separated at the button stem. 
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 10, including the step of separating the thread by tearing off the thread end by increasing the tension in the thread to the breaking limit. 
     
     
       12. A method according to claim 10, wherein using a winding thread with an elongation in the range of approximately 100% to 600%. 
     
     
       13. A method according to claim 12, wherein using a winding thread with an elongation in the range of 400% to 600%.